| Explanation & Hint:
To determine the most secure configuration option for remote access to a network device from the options provided:
- Configure SSH (Secure Shell):
- Why It’s Secure: SSH is a protocol that ensures secure network management and communications. It encrypts data, including passwords, to protect against interception and provides secure channel establishment. This makes it highly effective in safeguarding remote access.
- Best Practice: Use SSH version 2 for enhanced security features. Implement strong authentication methods like public key authentication and disable root login where possible.
- Configure 802.1x:
- Why It’s Secure (But Less Relevant): While 802.1x provides robust network access control, primarily for wireless and LAN environments, it’s not typically used for remote device management. It’s excellent for controlling which devices can connect to a network but less applicable for remote administrative access to network devices.
- Configure an ACL (Access Control List) and Apply It to the VTY (Virtual Terminal) Lines:
- Why It’s Secure: Applying ACLs to VTY lines is a good practice for enhancing security. It restricts remote access to the device by allowing only specified IP addresses to connect. This helps in mitigating unauthorized access.
- Best Practice: Regularly update the ACL to ensure it reflects current network policies and trusted hosts.
- Configure Telnet:
- Why It’s Insecure: Telnet is an older protocol that transmits data, including login credentials, in plain text. This lack of encryption makes it vulnerable to eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. In modern network environments, Telnet is considered insecure and should be avoided for remote device management.
Conclusion: The most secure option among those listed is to configure SSH for remote access to a network device. It provides strong encryption and secure authentication mechanisms, making it the standard for secure remote management. Using ACLs on VTY lines as an additional layer of security can further enhance your network’s defense against unauthorized access. |